More than 3,000 people helped by the RNLI in the north of England in 2015

More than 3,000 people were helped by the RNLI in the north of England last year, including 85 who were rescued by our own volunteers at Tynemouth lifeboat station – the fourth busiest in the region during 2015 with 68 launches.

In 2015, the charity’s lifeboats in the north of England launched 954 times, rescuing 903 people. The RNLI Flood Rescue Team rescued 400 people from floods in Cumbria over three days in December. Lifeguards dealt with 1,721 incidents, assisting 2,065 people.

Volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in the north of England helped 3,368 people in 2015, according to the RNLI rescue statistics issued today.

The floods in Cumbria saw the charity’s Flood Rescue Team rescue 400 people between 5-7 December. RNLI volunteers travelled from across the north of England and North Wales to help in Cockermouth, Kendal and Carlisle.

Andrew Ashton, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager in the north of England, said:

‘The RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have once again had a busy year and I want to thank them for their hard work and dedication to saving lives. However, they couldn’t carry out their crucial role without the army of fundraisers and other volunteers who raise money and awareness of the RNLI in their local communities – they are the lifeblood of our charity.

‘Many of our volunteers joined colleagues from other charities and emergency services to help during the terrible floods at the end of 2015, rescuing 400 people in Cumbria. It was dreadful to see the devastation caused by the floods, which at their worst can be very dangerous. We would remind anyone in a flood situation to be aware of fast flowing flood waters and to always keep a safe distance.’

The busiest lifeboat crews in the north of England in 2015 were:

Fleetwood – 86 launches rescuing 61 people

Blackpool – 78 launches rescuing 21 people

Sunderland – 70 launches rescuing 93 people

Tynemouth – 68 launches rescuing 85 people

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews carry pagers 24/7, never knowing what may lay ahead when the alarm is raised. In the north of England, the most common cause of lifeboat call out in 2015 was to boats with machinery failure, leading to 214 rescue launches (22% of all launches).

People in the water accounted for 129 launches (13.5%) while people cut off by the tide resulted in 76 launches (8%).

Mr Ashton added: ‘Our 2015 rescue statistics emphasise the need for everyone to respect the water and follow simple safety advice before heading to the coast. Some very basic precautions can keep people safe on and by the sea which, by its very nature, is unpredictable and can catch out even experienced water users.

‘Checking a vessel’s engine and fuel before setting out to sea should help prevent our most common cause of rescue, machinery failure. Finding out tide times before going for a walk along the coast can make the difference between a pleasant day out and getting cut off by the tide. Always avoid places where you could be swept off your feet during stormy weather and, if you are visiting the beach in the summer and want to swim, be sure to visit a lifeguarded beach.’

Overall, the lifeboat rescue statistics show a similar picture to 2014, when the north’s RNLI lifeboats launched 1,026 times and rescued 925 people. RNLI lifeguards dealt with 1,905 incidents in 2014 and helped 2,360 people.

Across the UK and Ireland in 2015, RNLI lifeboat crews launched 8,228 times and rescued 7,973, of which 348 were lives saved. Lifeguards dealt with 15,714 incidents, assisting 18,181 people of which 94 were lives saved.

The RNLI’s Respect The Water campaign aims to raise awareness of drowning and water safety with the aim of reducing the number of people who lose their lives at the coast. For more information go to www.rnli.org.uk/safety

A selection of notable rescues in 2015 (including photos and video):

Scarborough Helmsman receives bravery award for a difficult service

2015 saw a prestigious bravery medal being awarded to Scarborough Helmsman Rudi Barman in recognition for his courage during a difficult service. The station’s D class inshore lifeboat launched in treacherous conditions after a local man entered the water to save his dog. Despite the best efforts of the volunteer crew in awful weather and rough seas, the man sadly lost his life. Watch Rudi talk about that night here.

Floods rescue teams evacuate hundreds

As heavy rain and storms poured down in December, the RNLI flood teams were called into assist other emergency services. In Cumbria the teams evacuated around 400 people and worked tirelessly around the clock. The team were later asked to help again in Peebles, Scotland. Full story and video here.

Volunteers from Tynemouth RNLI were involved in the longest shout in RNLI history

Volunteers from Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station were involved in the longest shout in RNLI history on 24 June, when a former fishing boat started taking on water 110 miles off the north east coast. The lone skipper and his decommissioned Danish trawler were brought back to safety by the charity’s volunteer crew following a 19 hour rescue mission. Full story and video here: http://bit.ly/23gES9g

Sunderland RNLI rescue a person amongst rocks in the water

Sunderland RNLI was called out to reports of a man in the water at Roker beach on 17 September and the volunteer crew found him amongst rocks. One of the crew was put into the sea with a line to recover the casualty to the lifeboat. Story and video here: http://bit.ly/23gFN9N

Both Whitby RNLI lifeboats save a father and daughter at Robin Hoods Bay

A father entered the sea at Robin Hoods Bay on 6 September to try to rescue his daughter and became stranded too. Both the charity’s lifeboats from Whitby RNLI located the pair and found them struggling to keep their heads above water. Watch the rescue video here: http://bit.ly/1P7SPjG Full story here: http://bit.ly/1Pk3wlc

Blackpool, Lytham and Fleetwood RNLI involved in a search for a light aircraft

Volunteers from Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and Fleetwood RNLI were involved in a multi-agency search on 3 December for a missing light aircraft that disappeared from radar off the coast of Blackpool. Full story and video here: http://bit.ly/1Nmw2es

New Brighton RNLI rescue two dog walkers cut off by the tide

New Brighton lifeboat crew was involved in a multi-agency rescue of two people and their dog after they were cut off by the tide on 14 May. The walkers were stranded for almost four hours by the incoming tide before they were rescued and taken to safety. Full story and video here: http://bit.ly/1OIpFEf

https://www.tynemouth-lifeboat.org/2016/01/27/2408/more-than-3000-people-helped-by-the-rnli-in-the-north-of-england-in-2015/More than 3,000 people helped by the RNLI in the north of England in 2015https://www.tynemouth-lifeboat.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Yacht-Baxkiste-rescued-by-Tynemouth-RNLI-lifeboat-01.jpghttps://www.tynemouth-lifeboat.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Yacht-Baxkiste-rescued-by-Tynemouth-RNLI-lifeboat-01-150x150.jpg2016-01-27T15:36:10+00:00Tynemouth RNLIFeaturedNewsnews,RNLI,Services,Tynemouth RNLIMore than 3,000 people were helped by the RNLI in the north of England last year, including 85 who were rescued by our own volunteers at Tynemouth lifeboat station - the fourth busiest in the region during 2015 with 68 launches.
In 2015, the charity’s lifeboats in the north of...Tynemouth RNLI[email protected]AdministratorTynemouth RNLI lifeboat station

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